4. 5G research efforts

After introducing the main technologies being considered for 5G, we describe here the research efforts underway or already completed on 5G. In several parts of the world, major research efforts are underway to provide useful insights for the specific standardization of 5G, which is due to start in 2016, even if earlier releases already included bricks planned for 5G. These research projects, financed by both the public purse and industry, often take the form of collaborative work between national or international institutions. The following is a list of the main contributions in this area, although we do not claim to be exhaustive.

• One of the first major exploratory projects on 5G is the European METIS project (§